AB1171 BARRIERS AND ENABLERS TO UPTAKE OF EVIDENCE-BASED ONLINE EXERCISE TREATMENTS FOR OSTEOARTHRITIS
Authors: A. Bhardwaj, P. Hayes, J. Browne, S. Grealis, D. Maguire, J. O’hora, I. Dowling, N. Kennedy, C. Toomey
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2023)

<h3>Background</h3> Research suggests that delivering evidence-based exercise treatments (ET) for osteoarthritis (OA) online may improve healthcare access and quality of care (de Thurah et al. 2022). Further, such evidence-based online ET were found to be effective and comparable to evidence-based face-to-face ET (Cottrell et al. 2017). Understanding the barriers and enablers of people with OA (PwOA) and physiotherapists (PTs) to uptake of evidence-based online ET may inform efforts to encourage and successfully implement evidence-based practice in routine care for OA. <h3>Objectives</h3> To identify the barriers and enablers of PwOA and PTs to uptake of evidence-based online ET for OA, and to explore the influence of demographics on top-rated barriers and enablers. <h3>Methods</h3> An online survey was circulated to PwOA and PTs in Ireland from March-September 2021. Data items were sought for demographics, and barriers and enablers to evidence-based online ET for OA. Data analysis was performed using frequency distributions to illustrate demographics and the most frequently reported barriers and enablers. Multivariable logistic regression was used to explore the influence of demographics on top-rated barriers and enablers. <h3>Results</h3> 240 stakeholders responded (PwOA=86; PTs=154). PwOA barriers and enablers were related to personal beliefs (e.g., "Preference to wait until I can access face-to-face treatment") and service delivery (e.g., "Improved Wi-Fi and bandwidth"). PT barriers and enablers were related to patient characteristics (e.g., "Patients lack IT resources or knowledge) and organisational readiness (e.g., "Improved IT infrastructure in clinic (e.g., laptops, webcams)"). PTs uptake of evidence-based online ET for OA may be significantly influenced by their work setting (p &lt; 0.05). <h3>Conclusion</h3> Barriers and enablers of PwOA and PTs influencing uptake of evidence-based online ET for OA were related to personal beliefs, service delivery, patient characteristics, and organisational readiness. Future research should examine whether implementation strategies addressing these factors improve uptake and evidence-based practice. <h3>References</h3> [1]Cottrell, M.A., Galea, O.A., O'Leary, S.P., Hill, A.J. and Russell, T.G. (2017) 'Real-time telerehabilitation for the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions is effective and comparable to standard practice: a systematic review and meta-analysis', Clin Rehabil 31(5), 625-638, available: http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0269215516645148. [2]de Thurah, A., Bosch, P., Marques, A., Meissner, Y., Mukhtyar, C.B., Knitza, J., Najm, A., Østerås, N., Pelle, T., Knudsen, L.R., Šmucrová, H., Berenbaum, F., Jani, M., Geenen, R., Krusche, M., Pchelnikova, P., de Souza, S., Badreh, S., Wiek, D., Piantoni, S., Gwinnutt, J.M., Duftner, C., Canhão, H.M., Quartuccio, L., Stoilov, N., Prior, Y., Bijlsma, J.W.J., Zabotti, A., Stamm, T.A. and Dejaco, C. (2022) '2022 EULAR points to consider for remote care in rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases', Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, 81(8), 1065, available: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/annrheumdis-2022-222341. <h3>Acknowledgements:</h3> NIL. <h3>Disclosure of Interests</h3> None Declared.